The 24-time European Tour winner and ten-time Ryder Cup pick said: “I’m delighted to announce that the Betfred British Masters is once again going to be at Close House.

“Hopefully we will get another great field and I am sure it will be a great spectacle like it was a couple of years ago. The crowds in the North East love their sport and their big events, and Close House will be at its best again.

“I’m really looking forward to taking on the hosting role again too. Last time we did some interesting things - on the pitch at St James Park and hitting balls by the Tyne Bridge – so it will be fun to do it a second time.”

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Westwood becomes the first player to host the British Masters on more than one occasion following the tournament’s return to the European Tour’s schedule in 2015.

Ian Poulter was the first host at Woburn, followed by Luke Donald at The Grove in 2016, Westwood at Close House in 2017, and Justin Rose at Walton Heath in 2018.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland is interviewed by former footballer Alan Shearer during the pro am ahead of the British Masters at Close House Golf Club on September 27, 2017 (Image: Getty Images)

Graham Wylie, the owner of Close House, said: “It’s a big honour to bring the British Masters back to Close House next year.

"People in Newcastle and the North East region love sport and we had some great crowds in 2017, a great TV audience and some great engagement on social media, so I’m sure we will get the same again.

“We don’t get too many big sporting events in Newcastle, but when we do, we really support them. With 15 months to promote it, I’m sure we will get a lot of people there and it will be a lot of fun, as it always is in Newcastle.